First Avenue Mall Dubai: Shops, Restaurants, Parking & Location Guide

Dubai’s urban story is often told through mega-malls and skyline icons, but its true lifestyle evolution is increasingly shaped by community-focused destinations. First Avenue Mall in Motor City is one of those places—designed not to overwhelm, but to integrate seamlessly into daily life. Opened in 2018, this European-style, automotive-inspired community mall reflects how Dubai’s suburban neighborhoods have matured, prioritizing walkability, accessibility, and social interaction alongside retail and dining.

As a trusted Dubai travel and lifestyle resource, aboutdubai.online presents this in-depth guide to First Avenue Mall as both a destination and a living urban node within Motor City – covering its history, design philosophy, location advantages, amenities, transport connectivity, and the broader lifestyle it supports.

Understanding First Avenue Mall: Concept, Scale, and Urban Role

First Avenue Mall is a 500,000-square-foot community shopping center spread across two levels, anchored by a one-kilometer internal boulevard that blends indoor and outdoor retail experiences. Unlike enclosed destination malls, it follows a human-scale urban retail model, inspired by European high streets and adapted to Dubai’s climate through shaded walkways, open façades, and environmentally conscious materials.

Its automotive-themed identity is not cosmetic. Positioned next to the Dubai Autodrome, the mall’s design, tenant mix, and spatial planning echo Motor City’s original vision as a motorsport-centric residential district developed under Dubai Properties. The result is a lifestyle hub that feels local, functional, and socially connected rather than transient or touristic.

First Avenue Mall Location: Motor City, Al Hebiah First

Where First Avenue Mall Sits in Dubai’s Urban Map

First Avenue Mall is located along Turin Boulevard Road in Motor City, within the Al Hebiah First planning zone of Dubai. This area sits between established suburban communities and emerging residential developments, giving the mall a dual role as both a neighborhood center and a regional convenience hub.

The mall directly serves residents of:

• Motor City
• Dubai Sports City
• Studio City
• Arabian Ranches and Arabian Ranches II
• Al Barari
• Nshama Town Square
• Dubai Production City
• Parts of Silicon Oasis

Its adjacency to the Dubai Autodrome—the UAE’s premier motorsport facility—adds a unique lifestyle dimension, especially during racing events, track days, and karting sessions.

Accessibility and Transportation

Road Connectivity

First Avenue Mall benefits from excellent road access, making it practical for both residents and visitors arriving from across Dubai. Key arterial routes include:

• Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311)
• Hessa Street (D61)
• Al Qudra Road (D63)

Approximate driving times:

• Dubai International Airport (DXB): 25–30 minutes
• Downtown Dubai / Dubai Mall: 20–25 minutes
• Palm Jumeirah: 15–20 minutes
• Burj Al Arab: under 20 minutes

Free parking is available across surface-level and underground zones, with designated bays for families and people of determination, reflecting Dubai’s accessibility regulations.

Public Transport Options

Motor City does not currently have a direct Dubai Metro station, but RTA Bus Route F30 connects the area to Mall of the Emirates Metro Station (Red Line). Bus stops are located within walking distance of First Avenue Mall, making it viable for staff, residents, and visitors without private vehicles.

Retail Landscape: Practical, High-Street, and Essential

First Avenue Mall hosts 50+ retailers, curated to meet everyday needs rather than impulse luxury spending. This tenant strategy aligns with Motor City’s demographic profile—families, professionals, and long-term residents.

Key Retail Anchors and Stores

The presence of Carrefour Market ensures daily grocery convenience, while ACE Hardware caters to home maintenance and DIY needs—an important feature in villa-heavy communities like Motor City and Arabian Ranches. Value-focused retailers such as Daiso Japan, Brands for Less, and Toys for Less attract families seeking affordability without leaving the neighborhood.

Specialty and lifestyle retail includes:

• V Perfumes
• Emirates Optical
• Beyond The Bike
• Galadari Motor Driving Centre (driving education services)

This mix reinforces the mall’s role as a functional lifestyle ecosystem, not just a shopping venue.

Dining Scene: Global Flavors with Local Relevance

Food is central to First Avenue Mall’s identity, with 15+ restaurants and cafés spread along the internal boulevard. The dining experience is intentionally social—outdoor seating, late-night hours, and a mix of quick-service and sit-down concepts support both casual meetups and family outings.

Cafés and Coffee Culture

Dubai’s café culture is well represented through familiar brands like Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Tim Hortons (24-hour), and Krispy Kreme, serving early-morning commuters, remote workers, and late-night visitors.

Restaurants and Casual Dining

International cuisine options reflect Dubai’s multicultural population:

• American: Shake Shack, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jailbird
• Lebanese & Levantine: Kababji, Zaroob, Halla Shawarma
• Japanese: Sushi Art, Yamanote Atelier
• European: Le Petit Belge (Belgian bar and restaurant)
• Regional comfort food: Golden Fork

Health-conscious concepts such as Projeto Açaí, Fruit & Dip, and specialty dessert outlets further diversify the food offering.

Health, Wellness, and Daily Services

One of First Avenue Mall’s strongest differentiators is its concentration of essential services, reducing the need for residents to travel outside Motor City for routine tasks.

Key facilities include:

• Prime Medical Centre, providing outpatient healthcare
• Life Pharmacy and BinSina Pharmacy
• Snap Fitness, a 24-hour gym catering to shift workers and professionals
• Beauty and personal care venues like The Nail Spa and The Loft Fifth Avenue Salon

Financial and administrative services such as Al Ansari Exchange, du, Etisalat, DNATA Travel, and Dollar Rent A Car further anchor the mall as a practical daily hub.

Family-Friendly Environment and Entertainment

For families, First Avenue Mall offers a calm, navigable environment with wide walkways suitable for strollers and children. Fun Block, an indoor play area, provides safe entertainment for younger visitors, while the surrounding Motor City district offers parks, cycling tracks, and open spaces.

The proximity to Dubai Autodrome adds experiential value, with easy access to karting, driving experiences, and motorsport events—an uncommon lifestyle feature even by Dubai standards.

Hospitality Integration: Park Inn by Radisson

First Avenue Mall connects directly to the Park Inn by Radisson Motor City, a mid-scale business and leisure hotel offering approximately 150 rooms, meeting facilities, a gym, spa, swimming pool, and all-day dining. This integration benefits visiting families, business travelers, and motorsport enthusiasts attending events at the Autodrome.

Opening Hours and Visitor Patterns

The mall generally operates:

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Individual outlets such as Tim Hortons, Snap Fitness, and select restaurants operate extended or 24-hour schedules. Weekday mornings are quieter and ideal for errands, while evenings and weekends bring a more social, dining-focused atmosphere.

Living Around First Avenue Mall: Lifestyle Perspective

Living near First Avenue Mall means access to a self-contained suburban lifestyle—a defining trend in Dubai’s newer residential planning. Motor City combines mid-rise apartments, townhouses, schools, clinics, and green spaces, making the mall a natural extension of daily life rather than a destination requiring planning.

For readers exploring nearby communities, aboutdubai.online also offers detailed guides to Motor City, Dubai Sports City, and Studio City, helping residents and visitors understand how these neighborhoods interconnect.

FAQs

Is First Avenue Mall suitable for tourists, or mainly for residents?
While primarily designed for residents, tourists staying nearby—especially motorsport fans—will find it convenient, relaxed, and easy to navigate compared to larger malls.

Does First Avenue Mall have free parking?
Yes, the mall offers ample free parking, including underground and surface options with accessible bays.

Which metro station is closest to First Avenue Mall?
The nearest metro access point is Mall of the Emirates Metro Station, connected via RTA Bus F30.

Are there medical facilities inside the mall?
Yes, Prime Medical Centre and multiple pharmacies operate within the mall.

Is First Avenue Mall family-friendly?
Very much so. It features child-friendly walkways, a play area, family parking, and dining options suitable for all ages.

Conclusion

First Avenue Mall represents a quieter but more sustainable side of Dubai’s growth—where community, convenience, and thoughtful urban design take precedence over spectacle. As Motor City continues to mature, the mall’s role as a daily lifestyle anchor will only deepen, reinforcing its relevance for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

For travelers, new residents, or anyone seeking to understand how Dubai’s neighborhoods function beyond the headlines, First Avenue Mall offers a grounded, authentic glimpse into suburban Dubai life—exactly the kind of insight aboutdubai.online exists to provide.